Correction: The amended bill would give close to half of MAP funding needed at about $170 million and would give NIU about $26.5 million, less than a third of what they received last year. The act will be valid for costs incurred prior to Sept. 1, 2016. Monetary...

NIU should create a more thorough back-up plan for Monetary Award Program grant recipients in case MAP state appropriations are not given out.MAP grants, based solely on financial need, are given to Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges,...

Despite more than 200 positions remaining unfilled since September, NIU faculty and staff are not in immediate danger of being laid off because of the state budget impasse.Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Fiscal Year 2016 proposed budget includes a reduction in...

Correction: The Northern Star incorrectly reported that Keisha Dyson, director of Marketing and Communications at Governors State University, said Governors State University cannot plan for summer 2016 and fall 2016 without a reasonable operating budget.Dyson...

Faculty Senate will propose a resolution to Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state legislature to urge an end to the budget impasse and fund Monetary Assistance Program grants.The resolution, which is set to be proposed at a Wednesday meeting, addresses Rauner’s...

Northern Star Editorial boardNIU did the right thing when it credited MAP grant recipients in the midst of a state-wide budget impasse, an action Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner needs to take note of.With no budget in sight, more than 5,000 NIU students...

Illinois college students are encouraged to join Gov. Pat Quinn in Springfield for MAP Matters Day.Quinn will stand up at 12:30 April 30 during a gathering in the state capitol to ask for lawmakers to double MAP grant funding.Illinois allocates $373 million...